"LEMONADE STAND WINS HONORABLE MENTION AT FLINT FILM FESTIVAL"

                    The 2nd Annual Flint Film Festival was held on May 21st - 23rd 2005, in Flint Michigan. "Lemonade Stand" was one of 18 projects picked to compete for Best Short Film. Over 800 short films were submitted from all over the world and when the awards were announced after the three day event, "Lemonade Stand" took a special Honorable Mention Award home for 2nd place. The short that won was "Anna and The Soldier",

Festival organizer John Dombrowski noted on given out the award to Lemonade Stand director, writer, and producer, Robert Neary, that "the score tallies were so close, we decided to give the special honorable mention award, which we previously have not done".

"Lemonade Stand" creator, Robert Neary and his young cast at the Flint Film Festival

further article and review of "Lemonade Stand"  from the Festival

Tech advances bring sheen to independent films

FLINT - "Technical quality of independent films often fall short of their artistic value. Improving technology and graphics means such films as the ones being shown at the weekend festival, which continues through today, are more pleasing to the eyes", says Andrew Lloyd, 24, of Flint, who composes music for films and is moving to Hollywood to pursue his dream.

"Awesome," said Lloyd, after watching "Lemonade Stand," one of 41 flicks showing at the festival at Mott Community College. "With his film, (director Robert Neary) did a family film that was suited for all ages. And he made it stand out."

While many flocked to multiplexes with stadium seating this weekend to see such blockbusters as the latest "Star Wars" release, movie buffs like Lloyd and Sherm Griffith took in a variety of films from less well-known creators. This is the second year the event has been held.

"As opposed to spending an hour and a half to see a first-run show, I would say I would enjoy this just as much," said Griffith, 56, a former Flint resident who now lives on Baltimore, Md., and was home to visit relatives. "There's a lot of creative minds out there you don't realize until you get into a venue like this."

One of those creative minds is Neary of New Jersey, who is using the festival to premiere the 14-minute "Lemonade Stand," which he wrote, produced and directed. Thirteen people watched Saturday afternoon and applauded warmly afterward. Now he said he's hoping his short film will be a springboard to selling a full-length feature film he produced.

"Lemonade Stand" stars Neary's nephew, Ryan Schenck, 8, of Long Island, as a boy who sells lemonade to buy flowers for the birthday of a special girl.

William O'Kelly of Flint, a member of the festival committee, teased the young actor between showings.

"Is it tough being a movie star?" he asked. When Ryan didn't respond, O'Kelly added, "How can you be bashful and be an actor?"

During a Q&A with audience members, Neary said working with young actors can be a challenge - such as when the star was vomiting after gulping down a meal from McDonald's just before the final scene was shot.

Neary said he realizes his touching movie is much different than the dark comedies that are more commonplace at independent film festivals.